Attachment for steaming boxes



. n. nrsvmr A'rucmmrr FOR miiumie nexus End April 9, law

w a4 L 1 1 I Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

UNITED STATES HARRY O. STOTT, OF SPRINGVALE, MAINE.

ATTACHMENT FOB, STEAMING BOXES.

Application filed April 9, 1925. Serial No. 21,959.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY O. S'ror'r, a

citizen of the United States, residing atv Springvale, in the county of York and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Steaming Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates toattachmentsfor steaming boxes for steaming partially lasted shoes and more particularly to a device for supporting the inserted top of the shoe.

As is well known to those familiar with the art, in the process of lasting shoes, it has become common to insert the tip of a partially lasted shoe into a contrivance where this tip is subjected to the action of steam so that the portion thereof forming the toe may be rendered more pliable and readily shaped to the last. \Vhere a poor grade of leather is employed, the inserted toe portion, subjected to the action of the steam, often has the leather thereof spoiled due to the direct engagement of steam therewith and is further often marred as it is being inserted in the steaming box due to careless handling. Accordingly an important object of the invention is to provide a device which will not only prevent the direct engagement of steam with the toe portion but which will oflicially guard against marring of such toe portion. during insertion or removal of the last.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will prevent the direct engagement of steam with the toe portion at the same time permits the steam to circulate about this portion so that it is properly moistened and heated.

These and other objects I attainby the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steam box having an attachment constructed in accordance with my invention; and

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the attachment removed, the last being indicated in dotted lines.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a steam box which may be of any desired or usual character. Such boxes are usually provided along one side thereof with a horizontal series of openings 11 through which the toe portion of a last L with a partially lasted shoe thereon may be inserted. Secured to the front of the steam box adjacent each openin are a pair of support rods 12 upon whic 1 the outer portion of the last rests and between which the ankle portion of the last is engaged.

In accordance with my invention, I provide in combination with each of the openings 11 a support such, as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2. This support consists of a wooden base 13 of a width to correspond to the width of the opening and the shape to correspond to the toe portion of the last. This wooden section projects into the steam box and has secured to its sides and inner end a tin or sheet metal strip 14; bent to fit about the edges of the wooden base 13. Arranged upon the upper surface of this wooden base between the outstanding walls provided by the strip 14 is an as bestos strip 15 covering the base. Covering this asbestos strip is a strip of rubber 16 completely covering the asbestos strip and the base. Approximately centrally of this rubber strip, a transverse rubber strip 17 isf positioned upon the upper surface there- 0 The supports may be attached to the box in any suitable manner. In the usual construction of steam boxes, they may be arranged upon the bottom surface of the box, as disclosed in the present illustration. It will, of course, be understood that where the openings are vertically spaced above the bottom of the box, some additional support therefor must be provided.

In the use of the device, the rubber strip effectually prevents marring of the leather as the last is inserted which is done wit-h the last inverted so that the bottom or sole is uppermost. When the last is in position, the toe portion of the last rest-s upon the cross strip 17 and is thus held spaced from the support so that the steam may circulate about the leather to warm the same but the only direct attack which it has upon the leather is from the top. The asbestos strip serves as a heat insulation pref the rubber. Since the structure herein employed is obviously capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of my invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In combination with. a steam box having a plurality of openings, each adapted to permit the insertion into the box of the toe portion of a last having secured thereto a partially lasted shoe, a support for the toe portion of the last comprising a base associated with each opening and shaped to conform to the plan of the toe portion of the last, a cushion disposed upon the upper surface of the base, a cushioning strip extending transversely of the cushion and adapted to support the toe in spaced relation to the cushion and a shield attached about its lower edges to the base and extending about the side and inner edges thereof.

2. In combination with a steam box having a plurality of openings each adapted to permit the insertion into the box of the toe portion of a last having secured thereto a partially lasted shoe, a support for the toe portion of the last comprising a base as-' signature.

HARRY O. STOTT. 

